Apple unveils new devices, chips and software at developer conference

Apple signalled new moves into the fintech and car industries as it kicked off its annual developer conference.

The tech giant used the opening of WWDC to show off previews of new software for iPad, iPhones, Mac and Apple Watch, debuted some new MacBook, and showed off the new generation of its self-designed chip, the M2.

But industry watchers also noted the company’s addition of buy now pay later options in the Wallet app for US based customers, while the next generation of its CarPlay software showed deeper integration with internal car systems than ever before, such as tuning the car’s radio or changing the temperature without ever leaving the CarPlay experience.

The company also debuted the latest iPhone software, iOS 16, which includes a new lock screen that lets users personalise features and view widgets. Users will also be able to keep track on live activities such as an Uber ride.

The software also brings in two much-requested features: the ability to edit iMessages that have been sent, and an “undo send” if you want to recall the message entirely. The latter can be performed for up to 15 minutes after the message has been sent.

A new shared iCloud photo library feature will make it easier to keep track of family memories, while Apple has also introduced new features to make it easier to set up devices for children in your family group. The new software, which will be available later this year, will also include expanded Live Text — which recognises text in images — to include videos.

However, the new software is only supported by the iPhone 8 and upwards, dropping the iPhone 6s and iPhone 7.

Apple also showed off a redesigned MacBook Air featuring the company’s new M2 chip, ditching the tapered look the device has sported for years. The new device has a 13.6-inch screen, slightly larger than the 13.3 inches on the previous version. It also includes TouchID and a 1080p webcam with improved low light imagery

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The new M2 chip will also be coming to the MacBook Pro, Apple confirmed.

The company also unveiled the latest MacOS software, dubbed Ventura, which includes the ability to use your iPhone as a webcam for your MacBook through a feature named Continuity Camera, including access to the device’s portrait and studio lighting modes. It can also use the ultra wide camera view to enable desk view, which shows the user’s face and an overhead view of their desk.

The software also takes a step towards the password-less world with Passkeys, unique digital keys that stay on device and are never stored on a web server. Users will be able to use passkeys to sign into some websites and services, using Touch ID or Face ID for biometric verification, and iCloud Keychain to sync across Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV with end-to-end encryption. The plan is to extend the support to websites or apps on non-Apple devices using an iPhone.

The newest software for the Apple Watch, WatchOS 9, will include more detailed running tracking, and better sleep monitoring to track the different sleep stages throughout the night. It will also feature atrial fibrillation tracking, which is FDA-cleared for users in the US age 22 years or older who have been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation.

The new version of iPad software, iPadOS 16, concentrates on making the iPad more versatile and more powerful as a collaboration tool. it includes Stage manager, which brings multiple overlapping windows and full external display support for multitasking, while changes to Messages and the new free-form app allow for easier collaboration. For example, an invitation to collaborate sent through Messages will see everyone on the thread automatically added to the document, spreadsheet, or project.

“iPad is our most versatile device, and we’re excited to take what it can do even further with iPadOS 16,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice-president of Software Engineering. “With Stage manager, which takes multitasking on iPad to a whole new level, plus new ways to share and collaborate via Messages, Safari, and the new free-form app, and new pro features like Reference Mode and Display Zoom, users can get even more done on iPad.”